After graduating from Poplar Bluff High School in 1948, Don enrolled in the University of Missouri and graduated with a Bachelor of Business Administration in 1952. At MU he was a member of the Lambda Chi Alpha fraternity and also participated in the ROTC, theater, and band programs. Following college, Don enlisted in the United States Air Force where he was stationed in Germany from 1952-1954.
When he was discharged from the military in 1954, Don moved to Kansas City, Missouri to work at Armco Steel Corporation. He retired from Armco in the traffic department after 30 years of employment. Don began his second career with the United States Department of Agriculture in 1982 for 15 years as a Supervisor Traffic Management.
It was at Armco where Don met Barbara Lukens who was the love of his life. They were married June 10th, 1956 at Stone Church in Independence, Missouri. Along with traveling with their friends, Don also enjoyed playing the trumpet, restoring Model A Fords, researching his genealogy, collecting coins, making ballpoint pens, taking care of his yard, fishing with his son, John, golfing with friends, and sipping on ONE Michelob Ultra in a chilled glass.
Don was preceded in death by his parents Clardy and Emma Morse of Poplar Bluff, MO, brother Robert (Bob) Morse and his wife Helen Jannette of Memphis, TN.
Don is survived by his wife Barbara of Independence, MO, son John Morse and his wife Jeannine of Spring, TX, daughter LeighAnne Morse of Independence, MO, grandson Ryan Morse and his wife Kate of Cary, NC, grandson Grant Morse of Houston, TX, granddaughter Lauren Wood of Independence, MO, grandson Sgt. Andrew Wood of San Diego, CA, great grandson Madden Morse of Cary, NC, sister-in-law Norma Reni, brother-in-law George Lukens, nieces Melanie Witaszak, Misty Reiff, Angela O’Brien, Erika Wheeler, nephews Craig Lukens and Jim Rine, plus all other extended family members.
A visitation for Don will be held Saturday, June 22, 2024 from 1:00PM to 2:00PM at Floral Hills Funeral Home and Cemetery, 7000 Blue Ridge Blvd, Kansas City, MO 64133, followed by a memorial service from 2:00PM to 2:45PM.
In lieu of flowers, contributions should be made to St. Jude Children’s Research Hospital in Memphis, Tennessee
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